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Aggregate exposure pathways for microplastics (mpAEP): An evidence-based framework to identify research and
Guyu Peng1, Yan Lin2, Bert van Bavel2
1The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PR China.
Water Research
|November 28, 2021
Summary
This study introduces the Aggregate Exposure Pathway (AEP) framework to organize microplastic pollution research. The microplastic AEP (mpAEP) model helps identify knowledge gaps for better risk assessment and regulation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Ecotoxicology
- Risk Assessment
Background:
- Microplastics are pervasive emerging contaminants, raising significant concerns about human and ecosystem health.
- Existing microplastic research for risk assessment is fragmented, lacking coherence between different study types.
- There is a critical need for structured approaches to evaluate microplastic pollution data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce the Aggregate Exposure Pathway (AEP) framework for organizing and evaluating microplastic research.
- To develop and demonstrate a microplastic AEP network (mpAEP) model.
- To identify knowledge gaps and regulatory needs in microplastic pollution assessment.
Main Methods:
- Adapted the Aggregate Exposure Pathway (AEP) conceptual framework for microplastic exposure assessment.
- Developed a putative microplastic AEP network (mpAEP) model.
- Conducted two case studies (Changjiang Estuary/East China Sea and Oslo Fjord) using polyethylene (PE) data.
- Performed Weight of Evidence (WoE) assessment on the mpAEPs to evaluate evidence and relationships.
Main Results:
- The mpAEP framework effectively organized fragmented microplastic research information.
- Case studies demonstrated moderate/high Weight of Evidence (WoE) supporting the models.
- Both case studies revealed clear knowledge gaps, guiding future research and regulatory efforts.
Conclusions:
- The mpAEP framework offers a novel strategy for synthesizing diverse microplastic research.
- This approach enhances mechanistic understanding of causal relationships in microplastic pollution.
- The framework facilitates the development of quantitative prediction models for future research and regulation.
